Masculine Birthday card

Hello!  A quick share today because I am down to the last few minutes to enter at Sketch Saturday and combo with some other challenges too.  I loved this past week's sketch and just now was able to finish my card.

The background was stamped with Distress Oxide ink on a very pale green cardstock.  You get a very aged look when you do the Watercolor stamping on lighter cardstock (as opposed to the bleached look on dark cardstocks that I showed here).  I really like both looks!

Then I finished up the sketch with simple stamping with a nice silhouette of a bicycle.  I am hoping this will work for boys of all ages. I like the throwback style of bike and the jacks on the patterned paper scrap.

Supplies: Hero Arts Numbers background stamp and CL481 stamp set, Versafine Onyx black ink, Distress Oxide ink Iced Spruce, My Mind's Eye Hootenanny 6x6 patterned paper pad, cardstock from my stash

I would love to participate in these challenges:

Sketch Saturday #460

A Blog Named Hero -Anything Goes with Hero Arts

SimonSaysStamp Wednesday challenge -Anything Goes

SimonSaysStamp Monday challenge - We've Got your Number

So many pretty things are growing this time of year.  I wanted to share this sweet little Christmas Cactus cutting that has started to grow lots of new leaf segments!  My MIL let me take this cutting in February, and now it is really taking off.  Hard to see in the photo, but even the single segment leaf cutting has new growth.  This is actually a Thanksgiving cactus, but most people don't mind which holiday you call it.  

(You might need to click on this photo to enlarge it.)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great day!

Christmas Card with Basic Stamping

Hello! I have a quick share today of a Christmas card that uses very basic colored stamping and a card sketch.  

I used pigment inks for the stamping.  It was easy to stamp in color when each little part of the set is a separate stamp.  I added some red glitter glue to the heart, followed a sketch and called it a day!  Some days, I keep it simple (while working to use up my large stash of patterned paper)!

Supplies: WPlus9 Pretty Patches stamps set, Avery Elle pigment inks, MFT Die Namics Pierced Square die, Momenta 6x6 Christmas paper pad, Snowflake punch

I would love to participate in the following challenges:

Merry Monday - Kraft

ScrappyMo's Rudolph Days April

Mojo Monday #494

Bicycles and Blossoms Card

Hello and thanks for stopping by!  We had a good weekend, Saturday was drizzly, but Sunday was sunny and wonderful.  We did work outside a little, but I have nothing pretty to show you from the garden as I was just weeding.  We need to make some choices on what to grow this year, so maybe soon...

I used a sketch as the base of this card.  I picked my patterned paper first and I colored up my cute bicycle images with alcohol markers that matched.  Simple coloring for me, just two tones of each color.

Then, I did add the sentiment where it was supposed to go, but wanted to add more springy flowers to  draw the eye around the card.  Sometimes I make CAS cards, and sometimes I add a lot more!  I really like doing more than one style of card as my recipients don't all like the same things and it helps keep things fresh and fun for me!

Supplies: Just for Fun Rubber Stamps High Wheeler Bicycle Motif and Old Time Bicycle Motif, Sentiment set 3, Memento black ink, American Crafts Everyday 6x6 paper pad, embellishments from my stash

I would love to participate in the following challenges!

ModSquad Challenge - Rolling into Spring

Freshly Made Sketches #284

I truly appreciate your visit! Thanks for coming by!

Sepia Silhouette Flowers

Hello again, stamping friends!  It is a drizzly and dreary day today and I have been stamping quite a bit. This is one of the cards that I finished.

I wanted to use this beautiful silhouette stamp from Purple Onion.  I wish I knew what flower it was supposed to be, but it is definitely pretty.** I used sepia ink to stamp on patterned paper.

Then I noticed the bit of pink in the patterned paper, so I got out a sheet of pink cardstock. The damask stamp was already out with my other Purple Onion stamps, so I naturally reached for it.

Just a few more details till it was finished.  My card recipient won't know about this, but I thought I would tell you.  Instead of stamping on another sheet of cardstock, I just cut my little circle right out of the middle of my background.  :) This probably stemmed from laziness more than frugality.

Supplies: Purple Onion Designs Flower Cluster, Damask Background, Technique Tuesday Little Sentiments, Versafine Sepia ink, Hero Arts Soft Sand shadow ink, Prima Nature Garden 6x6 Paper pad; Spellbinders circle dies, Gina K Designs Innocent Pink and Dark Chocolate cardstocks

I would love to participate in this challenge:

Double D - Silhouettes

Mojo Monday Sketch #493

** (Did you know that stamp is only $2!!? I saw the price when I was looking up the name for my supply list. They have a few that are cheap like that! Wow!)

Christmas Cards for Earth Day??

Happy Earth Day!  I have two SUPER easy Christmas cards to share today that go along with Earth Day too.  

The first card was so fast. I just used Distress inks to quickly apply two colors randomly, spritzed with water and stamped on to heavy ivory cardstock. Then, I added the sentiment and score lines.  

The second, I stamped the earth with green ink onto light blue cardstock and then added stickles to them.  I stamped the sentiment and applied that over some punched snowflakes and ribbon.   That also was pretty quick!

Supplies: Our Daily Bread Designs The Earth and Earth Verses stamp sets, Versafine black ink, Gina K Applemint Ink, Distress Ink Mowed Lawn and Broken China, Gina K Ocean Mist cardstock, EKSuccess punch, ribbon from my stash, stickles

Thanks for stopping by!

Adding Sparkle to Distress Oxides - Clean and Simple Christmas Card

Hello cardmaking friends!  I am going to be very interested in your reaction to my card today because I have received VERY mixed reactions from those who I have shown it to thus far!  Is it too artsy?  Would most people like it? I don't know, so please let me know your reaction.

I created a background with Distress Oxide inks.  I have found that sometimes, the backgrounds still need something once I am done with the ink smooshing. If you are having the same feeling about your backgrounds, I think that you should try adding sparkle.  I think the easiest way I found so far is to mix a little pool of Perfect Pearls in water, and then flick that onto your background with a paintbrush.  They really just come alive with this addition.

For this card, I added both Perfect Gold and Antique Gold.  I took photos from a couple angles because I think that helps see the depth of color and sparkle.

This card was so clean and simple, I just die cut a piece of background and stamped the sentiment.  The card base was scored a few times to balance the card front.

Supplies: Distress Oxide Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, Vintage Photo, Ranger Perfect Pearls, Spellbinders Circle dies, Our Daily Bread Designs Earth Verses stamp set, Versafine Black ink

I would love to share this project with the following challenge:

SimonSaysStamp Monday Challenge - Splash it On

Thank you for spending a few minutes of your time with me today, and a special thanks if you took time to leave a comment.  Have a great day!

Spring Watercolor Floral with markers

Welcome!  Spring is in full swing here as Spring Break recently ended.  That was a busy week, but we were blessed with such lovely weather to make the most of the time.  On Easter Sunday, the sun rose to the trees bursting into leaf and flower.  It was quite the transformation and what amazing timing.  Although our late March freezes did affect some of my flowers, luckily I have plenty.  Right now the Viola/Pansy pot looks amazing, as does my lilac.

Anyhow....I have a very springy card to share today.  I stamped this using watercolor markers, resetting the ink with a couple sprays from my mini mister.

The background was also stamped with light green ink on the matching cardstock.  I used some neglected washi tape and ribbon to add some contrast.  

Supplies:  Just for Fun Rubber Stamps Flora and Fauna sheet, Tombow markers, Spellbinders Labels 18 and Ovals, watercolor paper, ribbon and washi from my stash, Gina K Applemint ink and cardstock

I would love to participate in the following challenges:

SimonSaysStamp Wednesday Showers and/or Flowers

Great Impressions April Showers bring May Flowers

Inkspirational - Spring

Thank you so much for visiting me today and for your kind comments and support!  I hope to be visiting you soon!

Peg Stamp Birthday Cards

I realized I needed several birthday cards this month and a quick (and fun!) way to get that done was to pull out my peg stamp sets and get stamping.

I almost always use pigment inks with my peg stamps. I think they layer nicely.

For the floral card, I was going for tropical colors.

I kept all the layouts simple, but did pop up the stamped panel with fun foam to keep them interesting.  They really came together quickly.

Supplies: Rubber Stamp Tapestry Herbal Sachet, Cherry Blossom and Seasonal Splendor,  Anita's Stamps Happy Birthday, Versafine Onyx Black, Avery Elle pigment inks, Spellbinders Labels 3, MFT Pierced Squares, Darice and Cuttlebug embossing folders, Gina K Jelly Bean Green and Prickly Pear cardstocks, ribbon and flowers from my stash

I would love to play along with this challenge:

SimonSaysStamp Wednesday Challenge - Happy Birthday

Thank you so much for spending a few minutes here today!  I appreciate that and your kind comments!

Cameo Engagement card

Hello!  It is bright, sunny and windy here today.  It is a nice change from the drab weather during the week.  I have had this stamp set on my desk for the past couple weeks after using it for a very different card (these posh bunnies).  I had wanted to make a more modern card with it.

I plan to use this for an engagement card, however, I think it could easily be used for a basic greeting card.  I did need to do some simple masking for the cameos as the images are all separate.

I added gold gel pen and then layered glitter gel pen over top of this.  This was a hard card to photograph since it looks different in different lights.

The frame is navy blue cardstock that is embossed, then I rubbed gold ink all over it.  I really think it looks like a fancy frame.  

Supplies: Recollections Cameo Frames stamp set, Versafine Majestic blue ink, Gina K In the Navy cardstock, Brilliance Galaxy Gold inkpad, Elizabeth Crafts embossing folder

I would love to play in this fabulous challenge:

Freshly Made Sketches 282

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

Duck and Eggs Easter cards

Hello friends!  Thanks for coming by.  I have a couple cards I made a while back, but just got around to taking photos of them.  It is a bit dreary here for photos, but I will share these anyhow.

(Click on the photos to enlarge.)

I colored everything with alcohol markers without being too fussy.  I *think* this is the end of this paper pack.  It has served me well over the last several years.  I had to get *very* creative to come up with layouts that would fit the scraps I had left.  The nest below just covers up a gap in the circle under where I didn't have quite enough paper.

Supplies: My Monthly Hero March kit (stamps and dies, black ink), My Mind's Eye Jack & Jilly Quite Contrary paper pad, Spellbinders circle die, Versafine ink, Hero Arts ClearDesign April stamp set (for sentiment)

I would love to play along with the following challenges:

A Blog Named Hero - Anything Goes

Pixie's Snippets Playground - 275-276

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper challenge - April

Coral Floral Card

Hello stamping friends!  I have spent a while this morning trying to catch up on your blogs.  I missed so much when my family and I were sick.  I have a touch of laryngitis still, but am hoping to be back at it now.  I can't possibly catch up on everything I missed, so I will now just be moving forward.

I have a pretty floral card to share today.  This did not turn out how I originally planned, but then again, that rarely happens!

I stamped the flowers, colored with alcohol markers and then fussy cut them.  The leaves were stamped onto a white piece of cardstock, colored and then I sponged ink to fill in all the white spots. I  decided to trim this out and place it over some woodgrain paper.

The sentiment was popped up with some foam tape.  I spent a few minutes moving it around from here to there, and I think this is a good spot for it!  

Supplies:  Just for Fun Rubber stamps Flora and Fauna sheet, Sentiment sheet 3, Memento and Versafine black inks, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, My Mind's Eye Bramble Rose paper pad.

I would love to participate in the following challenge:

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes 276-277

Springtime Challenge!

Happy April!  I would like to introduce the new monthly challenge at Just for Fun Rubber stamps.

Springtime/Easter Challenge with this fun moodboard.

Here is the card I made for the challenge.  It uses the Just Ducky sentiment and the Duck and Ducklings stamp.

The yellow circle was stamped using the Watercolor Stamping with Distress Oxide technique with the Cracked Pistachio ink.  I noted before that this color (and other blues in that line) do not behave like the others for oxidizing, but no mind.  It still produces a beautiful result by separating out in lovely green and blue.  I used a large floral heart stamp from the Flora and Fauna set.

I hope you will hop on over and share your spring and Easter cards with us and be in the running for the prize!

Supplies: Just for Fun Rubber Stamps Flora and Fauna unmounted sheet, Just Ducky Sentiment (also found in Sentiment Sheet 3), Duck and Ducklings stamp, Distress Oxide ink Fossilized Amber and Cracked Pistachio, Versafine Onyx Black ink, My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Jack & Jill paper pad

Thanks for stopping by!